Gary Sheffield released by Detroit Tigers  —  DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have released nine-time All-Star Gary Sheffield, who is one home run away from 500 for his career.  —  Detroit parted ways with the designated hitter Tuesday after a disappointing stay with the Tigers.

Murphy nails down No. 2 spot in lineup  —  Hernandez officially the fifth starter; Takahashi signs Minor deal  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Less than four days after he said he felt inclined to use Luis Castillo as his No. 2 hitter, manager Jerry Manuel said on Monday night that Daniel Murphy …

Ollie sharp, helps calm Mets' fears  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Oliver Perez can exhale.  So can Jerry Manuel.  —  After a rocky showing in the World Baseball Classic, then a subpar outing last week against the Tigers, Perez looked far more like the pitcher the Mets signed to a three-year …

Chipper close to contract extension  —  Deal would likely allow veteran to finish career with Braves  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — It appears Chipper Jones may get his wish to remain with the Braves throughout his entire career.  —  A Major League source has indicated that Jones and the Braves …

NL CENTRAL PREVIEW  —  The division preview series continues with the big one, the six team National League Central.  I'm rating the core of the team, the eight position players, five starters and closer by value wins or WAR.  —  Chicago Cubs  — Position player WAR: 28.0  — Starters WAR: 15.7

Q.& A.: Mets Bloggers Assess the Coming Season  —  As opening day draws near, The Times will be previewing the Yankees' and Mets' coming seasons from all angles, with analysis from Tyler Kepner, Ben Shpigel, Jack Curry and many others.  But with so much happening this off-season there are a lot of opinions to go around.

A's Trade OF Matt Murton to Colorado for IF Corey Wimberly  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland A's traded outfielder Matt Murton to the Colorado Rockies for infielder Corey Wimberly, the club announced today.  Wimberly will be a non-roster invitee to Spring Training.

Nick Green, Chris Carter make the cut for Sox  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Nick Green and Chris Carter have been told that they have made the Red Sox [team stats] Opening Day roster, with the understanding that things could change if the Sox make a last minute deal or waiver claim.

Spring training: McCutchen's demotion has asterisk  —  Pirates can delay free agency by keeping top prospect in minors for stint  —  Left: Andrew McCutchen — 22, hit .318 with two HRs, seven RBIs and two steals this spring.  Right: Brian Bixler — 26, batted .345 with three RBIs and three steals this spring

Baseball's hype machine cranks out another 'can't miss' prospect  —  Matt Wieters' college teammates called him “God,” and not just once or twice.  Somewhere along the line, it became Wieters' nickname.  The way some guys become “Slim” or “Big John” or go by their initials, Wieters went by “God.”

A big night for The YES Network  —  The YES Network can be mystifying.  Why, for instance, will only two of the 12 Yankees games from March 20 to April 1 televised?  That's just when spring training gets interesting.  And why do they need so many announcers?  Why is Kim Jones not used during the game to report news?

Lasorda defends former Dodgers catcher Piazza on steroid allegations in new book  —  It's going to take more than accusations from former players to make Tommy Lasorda doubt Mike Piazza.  —  Piazza, a former Dodgers catcher, was one of a handful of players singled out as a steroid user …

McJaygate: Day 31  —  Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler learned Feb. 28 he was discussed in a three-team trade proposal that would have sent him to Tampa Bay and Matt Cassel to Denver.  The deal didn't happen, but Cutler has since been on the outs with the man who considered trading him, new coach Josh McDaniels.

Spring Game 34: Yankees at Reds (now updated with roster moves)  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: Joba Chamberlain.  —  Notes: The game is on WLW, 700 AM radio in Cincinnati. ...  The Yankees are looking for at least six innings out of Joba, who has had problems running up his pitch count all spring.

Former pitcher Browning arrested  —  Reds Minors coach charged with not paying child support  —  Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning has been arrested and charged with not paying child support, according to jail records uncovered by the Associated Press.

Mariners bat Ichiro third as experiment  —  Regular leadoff man dropped in lineup for one-game test  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The large lineup card posted on one of the double doors leading into the clubhouse caused some double-takes on Monday morning.  —  Batting third for the Mariners …

Welcome to the new Moneyball  —  Less talk about the economy and more about the money players of 2009  —  First off, let's all agree on one thing: Money is an excellent invention.  And we're all in favor of accumulating as much of it as possible.  —  But now let's agree on something else …